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Global Climate Change Digest
A Guide to Information on Greenhouse Gases and Ozone Depletion
Published July 1988 through June 1999

FROM VOLUME 2, NUMBER 5, MAY 1989

PERIODICALS

Item #d89may46

"Global Climatic Change," R.A. Houghton, G.M. Woodwell, Sci. Amer., 260(4), 36-44, Apr. 1989.

Suggests that production of carbon dioxide and methane from human activities has already begun to change the climate and that radical steps must be taken to halt any further change by stabilizing the greenhouse gas content of the atmosphere. Multifaceted programs are under review, but the greatest problem is gaining effective support from developing nations.

Item #d89may47

"Trees' New Role," R. Rodale, Organic Gardening, 36(4), 27-28, Apr. 1989.

The new age of wood has already begun. Trees not only provide lumber for building, but can restore the balance of carbon dioxide and oxygen in the air.

Item #d89may48

Special Issue: "The Greenhouse Effect: How It Can Change Our Lives," EPA J., 15(1), Jan./Feb. 1989. A 52-page issue with over a dozen articles covering all aspects of the greenhouse effect, aimed at nonspecialist readers. The authors are experts representing governmental agencies and nongovernmental organizations, policy research institutes and industry. Topics covered include projecting the impacts of greenhouse warming on agriculture, forests, sea levels, electricity demand, water resources, wild species and air pollution. Views of industry and foreign nations (The Netherlands, Canada and Japan) are represented, as well as the outlook for national and international policies.

Item #d89may49

"A Greenhouse-Grown Agenda," R. Starr, Insight, 5(8), 64, Feb. 20, 1989.

An editorial commenting on the workings of politics and environmental legislation. Scientists should reach a consensus and keep bad weather memories alive to provide leverage for legislation.

Item #d89may50

"The Greenhouse Effect, Part 2: Meeting the Greenhouse Challenge," M. Bower, Nucleus (Union Of Concerned Scientists, 26 Church St., Cambridge MA 02238), 10(4), 2-4, Winter 1989.

A physicist continues his explanation of the greenhouse effect with practical suggestions to control global warming. Most important is cutting fossil-fuel consumption along with improved energy efficiency. In the long term we need to encourage the development of renewable sources. Explains that nuclear power still needs several years to be proved safe, reliable and economical.

Item #d89may51

"When the Rivers Go Dry and the Ice Caps Melt...," V. Cahan, B. Bremner, Bus. Week, No. 3091, 95, 98, Feb. 13, 1989.

An increasing number of businesses, including insurance companies, shipping firms, utilities and lumber companies, have been doing research or consulting meteorologists to help develop strategies aimed at dealing with global warming caused by the greenhouse effect.

Item #d89may52

Environment, 31(1), Jan./Feb. 1989.

"Regional and Global Impacts on the Biosphere: A Methodology for Assessment," T.E. Graedel, pp. 8-13. Explains a synoptic framework established to expand our limited knowledge of causal relationships between natural and anthropogenic sources of disturbance and environmental impacts. Three figures show the system of assessments and how a simple matrix might be used to illustrate the indirect effects of one atmospheric chemical with another.

"Forests: A Tool to Moderate Global Warming?" R.A. Sedjo, pp. 14-20. Forests may be able to moderate or postpone the buildup of atmospheric carbon. Increased forest growth could be achieved through new plantings, improved forest management and decreased harvesting, or by the natural forest expansion that might result from global warming.

"World Conference on the Changing Atmosphere: Implications for Global Security," P. Usher, pp. 25-27. An officer with the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) reviews the statement issued by the Toronto conference in June 1988.

"The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change," W.A. Nitze, pp. 44-45. Explains the organization of the IPCC, convened by UNEP and the World Meteorological Organization, to consider climate change issues at the policy level.

Item #d89may53

"Chlorofluorocarbons and the Depletion of Stratospheric Ozone," F.S. Rowland, Amer. Sci., 77(1), 36-45, Jan.-Feb. 1989.

Discusses the fourteen-year history of the progression from CFC theory to worldwide controls. (See related article in PROF. PUBS./OF GEN. INTEREST, this Global Climate Change Digest issue--May 1989.)

Item #d89may54

"Ambassador to the Rainforest," D. Quammen, Outside, 26-29, Jan. 1989.

Documents Tom Lovejoy's 23 years of effort to save Brazil's rainforests. Explains his brainchild debt-for-nature policy, intended to help developing countries repay foreign debt while preserving tropical ecosystems.

Item #d89may55

"Fear of Flooding: Global Warming Could Threaten Low-Lying Asia-Pacific Countries," M. Malik, Far Eastern Econ. Rev. (Hong Kong), 142(51), 20-21, Dec. 22, 1988.

Predictions of the consequences of the greenhouse effect on sea level vary. In 1989, the United Nations will establish a global sea level observation system which should produce reliable figures over the next 20 to 30 years.

Item #d89may56

Earth Island J. (Earth Island Inst., 300 Broadway, S. 28, San Francisco CA 94133), 4(1), Winter 1988-89.

"The Styrofoam Lobby's Dirty Tricks," p. 9. Explains the lobby's technique of creating a progressive-sounding front group that strives to pit environmentalists against the poor, disadvantaged and elderly who would pay higher food packaging costs.

"Saving Our Skins," A. Makhijani, A. Makhijani, A. Bickel, pp. 19-22. Details a program of action to fight ozone depletion, excerpted from a new book by the first two authors.

"Atmospheric Electrification: Shocking Potentials," p. 10. Discusses a project of the U.S. Defense Department to produce high-power electromagnetic pulses (EMP). One possible application is the alteration of global weather patterns.

Item #d89may57

"Greenhouse Effect: European Solutions," J.D. Spellman, Europe, No. 281, 36-37, 48, Nov. 1988.

European countries have surpassed the United States in energy efficiency with some areas using 2.5 times less energy per capita. Explains present European research on alternate energy sources and on joint efforts with the United States, Canada and 15 other countries to eliminate CFCs by the year 2000.

Item #d89may58

"The Fuel of the Future is Making a Comeback," P. Hoffmann, Bus. Week, No. 3081, 130-131, Nov. 28, 1988.

Explains advantages of, and renewed interest in, hydrogen as a nonpolluting fuel to combat the global warming trend. Outlines projects to produce it cheaply and store it efficiently.

Item #d89may59

Ecoforum is published bimonthly by the Environment Liaison Centre (POB 72461, Nairobi, Kenya) as a networking instrument for non-governmental organizations around the world on environment and sustainable development, and as a window on the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP). The August and November 1988 issues have a series of articles that critically discuss the Tropical Forestry Action Plan, financed by the World Bank, the U.S. Agency for International Development and UNEP. Various alternative approaches are put forth.